Nandroid backups

[lotus49]

This isn't, strictly speaking, a rooting question but since it relates to something connected with the rooting process, I thought this forum would be fair game.

If I perform a nandroid backup, wipe and reflash my phone with the ROM that I was using when I took the backup and then do a nandroid restore, will my phone be exactly as it was?

I am paranoid about backups and my preference is for a complete backup where I don't have to think about what I'm backing up. I have yet to be told that any of the normal approaches achieves this so I am rather hoping that the Clockwork Mod can help.

Also, is there any way to tell Clockwork Mod to put the backup on my SD card?

 

[Slug]

Restoring a nandroid backup returns the handset to the exact state it was in when the backup was made. The ROM installed prior to restoration is immaterial, as it will be overwritten during restore. In terms of completeness, they don't come any more complete than a nandroid!

I don't think you can specify a destination for backups other than the default /sdcard.

 

[lotus49]

Thank you, that's what I wanted to know.

I suppose that the hard coded /sdcard is due to the fact that on most phones, /sdcard really is the SD card whereas on the SGS2 that's mounted on /sdcard/external_sd.

The drawback to this is that the backups are stored on the very device I'm trying to protect rather than something external or removable. I suppose that, as long as I back up my backups, I could always reflash if I trashed the file system and then copy the backups back into /sdcard so I could then do a nandroid restore.

 

[Slug]

I suppose that, as long as I back up my backups, I could always reflash if I trashed the file system and then copy the backups back into /sdcard so I could then do a nandroid restore.

That would work. Multiple backups are always good practice.

 

[retrorom]

Thank you, that's what I wanted to know.

I suppose that the hard coded /sdcard is due to the fact that on most phones, /sdcard really is the SD card whereas on the SGS2 that's mounted on /sdcard/external_sd.

The drawback to this is that the backups are stored on the very device I'm trying to protect rather than something external or removable. I suppose that, as long as I back up my backups, I could always reflash if I trashed the file system and then copy the backups back into /sdcard so I could then do a nandroid restore.

Thanks for this, I was a bit insecure what SD Card storage really was on the SG2, I used to have a HTC Hero and that was a bit different... I am still not sure if I should flash a Custom ROM at the moment or not, I guess I'll wait a little while longer until there is more choice available.

 

[lotus49]

I have now backed up the full contents of /sdcard and /sdcard/external_sd by mounting an external hard drive using my OTG cable.

I am now fairly confident that I have everything backed up and should be able to do a full restore in almost any event.

I am also hesitating about flashing one of the new ROMs, mainly because I don't want to risk trashing it and then not having a working phone while I try to fix it. I have rooted my phone though and that was dead easy so I suspect I may be nervous for very little reason.

I think I'll give it a few more weeks and then try whichever ROM is the most popular choice.

I have to say that the was Samsung has cooperated with the community in this (unlike say Motorola who locked the bootloader on the Atrix - fools) is very positive and this make a refreshing change coming from Apple, where Steve Jobs will not permit you to do anything without his prior approval if he can help it.